The Cabinet is to discuss energy affordability measures when it meets this afternoon as Ministers continue to grapple with the energy crisis triggered by the war in Iran.
Minister for Climate Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien is to update his Cabinet colleagues on the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce; a cross-Government group expected to recommend a range of short, medium and longer-term supports for households and businesses by the third quarter of the year.
The discussion comes with the Fuel Support Scheme for up to 120,000 farmers and 1,500 agricultural contractors set to open today until around 27 May.
Farm organisations will be looking to see how promptly applications can be made and subsequently processed, with payments expected to be completed by the end of June.
Revenue accounts to show disruption to shadow economy
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris will update Cabinet on the latest accounts from the Revenue Commissioners.
It is understood the accounts will show that during 2025, Revenue showed progress in its work disrupting shadow economy activity with drug and excisable products to the value of €258.4m seized, an increase on the figure of €229.9m collected in 2024.
Mr Harris and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers are also due to publish the Government’s overall Exchequer returns for April this afternoon.
Tax receipts in the first three months of the year were up almost 9% on the same period last year, prompting further political debate on how the Coalition should best use its resources amid the rising cost of living.
Ministers to seek approval for €500m loan scheme for SMEs
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon are to seek Cabinet approval for a €500m low-cost loan scheme for SMEs and farm enterprises.
The scheme represents an extension of the existing Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme by a further €500m; with businesses able to apply for loans of between €25,000 and €3m. These loans do not require security up to €500,000.
The scheme is administered by the pillar banks – AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB – with the programme extended after Minister Burke secured funding from the European Investment Bank over the last number of months.
Minister to seek approval for legislation on Valerie’s Law
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is to seek Cabinet approval for legislation which would prevent someone who had killed their child’s other parent from automatically keeping their guardianship rights.
The law would be known as Valerie’s Law in memory of 41-year-old Valerie French who was murdered by her husband James Kilroy seven years ago in Co Mayo.
The couple have three children. Kilroy was convicted of Ms French’s murder in July 2024.
Arts Capital Scheme to allow theatre groups to upgrade facilities
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sports Patrick O’Donovan will bring a memo to Cabinet including details of a new Arts Capital Scheme which will launch in the near future. It will be made available for arts and theatre groups to upgrade their facilities.
He will also bring a memo on plans for the first Golf for Disabled event as part of the Ryder Cup 2027 to be held in Limerick’s Adare Manor.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee will bring a report on the recent St Patrick’s Day visits by ministers and details of a new strategic partnership agreement between the EU and Mexico.
Minister for Housing James Browne will update Ministers on a new housing information hub, a new public resource housed on Gov.ie to provide accessible, authoritative housing data through interactive online dashboards.
It will go live later this week and feature information on home building, property prices and rents, the cost of building homes, and housing features.